Ceasefire Agreed to Avert Civil War in Syria

The commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces Mazloum Abdi said that an agreement with the Syrian government was accepted to prevent bloodshed and avert the risk of civil war, describing the move as a necessary step amid escalating tensions.

Abdi said the conflict had been imposed on his forces, adding that he would travel to Damascus to finalise the agreement before its full details are formally announced. He stressed that the decision was taken to protect civilians and prevent further instability.

Abdi said the Syrian Democratic Forces had withdrawn from Deir Ezzor and Raqqa towards Hasakah but had not been defeated or failed. He added that his forces would preserve what he described as their gains, despite the redeployment.

Agreement

Syrian President Ahmad Al Sharaa signed a new agreement providing for a ceasefire between government forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces. The deal stipulates an immediate and comprehensive halt to hostilities across all fronts and contact points.

Under the agreement, all military formations affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces are to withdraw to areas east of the Euphrates as a preliminary step towards redeployment. The deal also provides for the full administrative and military handover of Deir Ezzor and Raqqa to the Syrian government without delay.

The agreement further states that all civil institutions in Hasakah province will be merged into state institutions and administrative structures, placing them under the authority of the central government.

Control

The deal affirms that the Syrian government will take control of all border crossings as well as oil and gas fields in the region. It also provides for the integration of all military and security personnel of the Syrian Democratic Forces into the structures of the Syrian ministries of defence and interior on an individual basis.

The Syrian Ministry of Defence announced a ceasefire on all fronts and a complete halt to military operations in line with the agreement. It said safe corridors would be opened to allow residents to return to their homes and that state institutions would begin resuming their duties to serve citizens.

Dialogue

President Al Sharaa ordered a ceasefire in the Jazira region and urged tribal groups to remain calm. He said he had spoken by phone with Abdi after weather conditions prevented his arrival.

Al Sharaa said the agreement, signed electronically, builds on the spirit of the March 10 understanding and confirmed that state institutions would enter Syria’s three northeastern provinces.

In a related development, the president discussed the situation in Syria with Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani, reaffirming Syria’s unity, sovereignty and stability.